WHAT IS L.I.F.T.?
Laughter-In-Fitness-Training!
MARTIN LUTHER SAID WHAT???!
“If the earth is fit for laughter then surely heaven is filled with it. Heaven is the birthplace of laughter.”
Martin Luther also said: “I often laugh at Satan, and there is nothing that makes him so angry as when I attack him to his face and tell him that through God I am more than a match for him.”
~ Martin Luther (1483 – 1546), known as the “father” of the Protestant faith.
Welcome to a Revolution in Fitness Training: L.I.F.T.!
I first became acquainted with laughter used in health and fitness in 2008. I heard of Laughter Yoga and thought, “Oh no! The enemy has made yet another inroad—into laughter.”
Having worked as an improvisational comedienne Off-Broadway in New York City back in my “B.C. daze,” I was familiar with how the enemy has influenced comedy.
People laugh at things that are not humorous. There are a mean-spiritedness and vulgarity to a lot of what passes for comedy today (what Ephesians 5:4 calls “coarse jesting”).
People laugh at videos of people being humiliated or hurting themselves either by accident or intentionally.
Where is the childlike laughter? Where is the innocence of joyful delight?Why do children laugh over 300 times per day, but adults only 4 to 15 times a day?
Why does Scripture tell us, “A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones” (Proverbs 17:22)?
What power is inherent in Nehemiah’s proclamation, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10) and Paul’s admonition, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
L.I.F.T. is Born
In October 2019, I believe the Lord gave me the theme for our 12th Annual Conference, “LIFT.”
It was to have three parts, all based on Scripture:
- LIFT Up Your Eyes (Psalm 121:1-2)
- LIFT Up the Lord (John 12:32)
- LIFT Others Out (Matthew 12:11)
A week or so later, I felt a stirring in my spirit to re-examine my study of Gelotology. Gelotology (from the Greek γέλως gelos “laughter”) is the study of laughter and its effects on the body, from a psychological and physiological perspective.
“Is it possible this could be a new certification in PraiseMoves?” I wondered.
Suddenly I “saw” the letters “L.I.F.T.” form words in my heart:
L – Laughter
I – In
F – Fitness
T – Training
I began to revisit research I’d done on the positive effect of laughter—laughter therapy; laughter not as a result of something humorous, but INTENTIONAL laughter for therapeutic reasons. Health experts recommend we laugh 10 to 15 minutes per day for ongoing health benefits.
What about the spiritual benefits of laughter? What does Scripture have to say about laughter, joy, and rejoicing?
I look forward to exploring these questions with those of you who either take a L.I.F.T. class with us or the L.I.F.T. certification training.
You may use what you learn in L.I.F.T. for yourself, in fact, I heartily recommend you do so! In time, and as you feel more confident, I invite our Certified PraiseMoves Instructors to hold your own L.I.F.T. classes, or incorporate a mini-L.I.F.T. session in your PraiseMoves, MIRA!, PraiseMoves Gold, or PraiseKicks classes!
So, come join us and enjoy a low-cost, high-impact FACE (and FAITH) L.I.F.T.!!! ?
SOME GREAT TESTIMONIALS…
“I slept on Saturday night like a baby. I haven't felt that good in years. I was pain-free. God showed me that L.I.F.T. is my new pain strategy for back pain. Hallelujah! God is so good!” –Christine Ross
“I am really getting the full understanding of how we have been given this gift of laughter from the Lord, be it spontaneous or intentional, to enrich, strengthen, and perhaps even lengthen our lives. We all need more joy and laughter in our lives. What an amazing witty invention!!! Such a gift!!! Thank you Dr. Laurette for your faithfulness to follow the leading of the Lord!” –Anita Price
“I was a little hesitant about the Laughter in Fitness Training at first – but now I don't know why! Laughter is truly a universal language that spreads joy and connection with others. I am so excited to bring L.I.F.T. plus all the amazing physical benefits to my students and clients.“ –Jessica Guthrie, CPI Trainer and Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist
WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPERIENCE L.I.F.T. FOR YOURSELF?
Dr. Laurette Willis recently led a super fun online L.I.F.T. Class. In her words, “It was a BLESSED BLAST!!!”
- Find Certified L.I.F.T. Instructors (CLIs) who give classes online and in-person all over the world.
- See CLASSES here and look for the CLI designation.
- BECOME A CERTIFIED L.I.F.T. INSTRUCTOR (must be a Certified PraiseMoves Instructor first) HERE
- Already a CPI? You can pick up your CLI certification HERE.
